Singapore begins renewable energy imports from Laos through first cross-border electricity trade project

The first project enabling renewable energy import to Singapore commenced yesterday (Jun 23) as part of Singapore’s move to access cleaner energy sources beyond its borders. 

The Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) is the first multilateral cross-border electricity trade to involve four ASEAN countries.

As part of the LTMS-PIP, up to 100 megawatts of renewable hydropower can be imported from Laos to Singapore through Thailand and Malaysia, using existing interconnections.

The project supports the ASEAN Power Grid vision, an initiative to ensure energy security and sustainability through existing electricity interconnections in the Southeast Asian region. 

By supporting multilateral electricity trading beyond neighbouring countries, the LTMS-PIP also creates opportunities to tap on more low-carbon and renewable energy sources in the region. 

To kick off the project, Keppel Electric signed a two-year power purchase arrangement with Laos’ state-owned electricity provider Electricite du Laos (EdL). Keppel Electric is also the first entity to be issued an electric importer licence by the Energy Market Authority (EMA). 

Keppel and EdL are also collaborating on the establishment of renewable energy certificates and long-term renewable electricity supply to support the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

With the LTMS-PIP, the EMA hopes to pave the way for larger-scale electricity imports of up to four gigawatts into Singapore by 2035. 

“We would like to thank our regional partners for their strong support and close collaboration in moving towards a cleaner energy future for the region,” said EMA CEO Ngiam Shih Chun.